STD Testing in Chicago, IL

STDs are on the rise in Illinois, and understanding how and where to get tested will help you manage your health. STD testing centers should respect your privacy while providing secure, accurate testing. Many provide resources if you test positive.

Chicago has a higher rate of STDs than suburban and rural areas in Illinois, according to reports from Chicago Department of Public Health. The three most common STDs in the city are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and primary and secondary syphilis. llinois overall is No. 10 for chlamydia on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) 2019 STD Surveillance State Ranking Table. The state has the 12th highest gonorrhea cases, and is No. 18 for primary and secondary syphilis.

There is lots of help and STD testing available in Chicago, with 119 centers in our directory—many offering free or low-cost STD testing. AHF Wellness Center offers free testing, and it only takes about 30 minutes for the tests. Quest Diagnostics usually provides STD test results within 48 hours. Following is a comprehensive listing of STD testing sites in Chicago and how testing works.

At-Home STD Testing

Testing for STDs at home is safe, convenient, and private. Performed regularly, it can help you stay healthy and avoid unknowingly transmitting STDs.

You have many options for at-home STD testing. The best at-home STD tests are FDA approved and evaluated for safety and accuracy with fast result turnaround times and support from health care professionals.

At-home STD testing kits should include instructions for collection and test registration, along with materials such as containers and swabs to collect and send your sample to the lab. Most at-home STD tests offer results in about five days through a secure online patient portal.

Choose the STD testing option you’re most comfortable with:

• Private clinic: Your primary care physician or OB-GYN can order STD tests.
• Local lab: Some labs offer direct testing without a doctor’s orders.
• Community clinic: A community clinic, such as city or county clinics, or nonprofit organizations may offer STD testing. Some offer STD tests for free or low cost.

At home: You can test for STDs at home using a kit and send your sample to a lab for analysis.

When Should I Get Tested for STDs?

If you think you might have an STD, it’s best to get tested. STDs don’t go away if you ignore them; they’ll just get worse and could grow into more serious health consequences. If left untreated, some STDs can lead to issues like infertility and more serious infections. You can also spread STDs to sexual partners if you have an untreated infection. Ask your health care provider for STD testing recommendations or follow CDC recommendations for STD testing.

What Will Be Tested in an STD Panel?

You can request specific STD tests or a full panel. An STD clinic can recommend tests based on your sexual health and symptoms. A routine STD panel may include:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• HIV 1 and 2
• Syphilis

A full-panel STD test adds:

• Herpes (oral, genital)
• Hepatitis (A, B, C)

How Much Will STD Testing Cost in Chicago, IL?

The cost of an STD test will vary by location and test type. Some clinics, usually community or nonprofit clinics, offer free or low-cost testing. Labs, clinics, and at-home testing companies may accept insurance to cover or lower your cost of testing. Lab testing fees range from $8 to $150. At home tests cost between $35 and $175 per test.

Do I Need an Appointment for Testing in Chicago, IL?

Appointment policies vary by location, so call ahead or check the clinic website before you head in for a test. Some clinics or testing centers accept walk-ins or have same-day or next-day appointments.

How Fast Will I Get My Test Results in Chicago, IL?

Your STD test results time will depend on the test. Some clinics offer rapid HIV testing, which can offer results in less than 30 minutes. Bacterial STD testing (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis) takes several days to get results, while viral STD testing (HPV, herpes, or HIV) results can take just one to two days.

Community-based STD testing organizations generate awareness and foster social change while providing access to testing and treatment.

If you’re concerned about visiting your regular doctor or can’t afford the cost of private testing, a community testing center may be able to help. While community testing centers may charge a fee for STD testing, it’s common to find free or low-cost testing from these resources:

The city’s Department of Public Health operates three walk-in specialty clinics that provide STD testing and treatment. The clinics are equipped with on-site lab testing and dispensing of medications for STDs including herpes, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. The clinics accept most types of health insurance but are dedicated to providing high-quality care regardless of your ability to pay. Appointments are not accepted at these clinics, and you’ll be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. If the clinic reaches patient capacity, you can still have lab tests drawn if you arrive one hour before closing.

Roseland STI Specialty Clinic 200 E. 115th Street Chicago, IL 60628, 312-747-0054

Lakeview STI Specialty Clinic 2849 N. Clark St., 1st Fl., 312-744-5507

Austin STI Specialty Clinic 4909 Division St., Suite 411, 312-746-4871
Chicago.gov

Howard Brown Health is a walk-in clinic that provides confidential and comprehensive health services, including STD and HIV services. Because of COVID-19, the clinic requires you to make an appointment first. Upon arrival, you’ll complete brief registration paperwork and be placed on the walk-in clinic schedule to meet with a registered nurse or health educator. Depending on the type of services received, clinic visits typically last between 45 to 60 minutes. The clinic provides screening for infections like syphilis; gonorrhea; hepatitis A, B, and C; herpes; and trichomoniasis. Results are available within seven business days of the visit, and you are only contacted if their results are positive. Some services are available for free, and all others are charged based on a sliding scale to ensure service to everyone regardless of insurance coverage. Howard Brown Health has two locationa that offer sexual health testing, Sheridan and 63rd St., both of which are open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

4025 North Sheridan Road Chicago, IL 60613, 773-388-1600
Howardbrown.org

AHF Wellness Center’s Chicago locations provide STD testing for common infections including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. Clients are seen by testing counselors on a walk-in basis, and all testing is confidential. All STD tests are free and typically take about 30 minutes, though wait times may vary depending on the time of day. In most cases, results are available within three to seven days. If you test positive, you’ll receive results over the phone. AHF has two locations in Chicago, Michigan Ave. and Halsted. The Michigan Ave. location is open Monday and Thursday 4p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the Halsted location is open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

2600 South Michigan Avenue, Suite LL-D Chicago, IL 60616, 312-881-3050
Freestdcheck.org

Quest Diagnostics provides affordable testing for a wide variety of diseases and infections, including STDs. It offers a comprehensive 10-test STD panel tests for the 10 most common viral and bacterial STDs in the country. If you’re concerned about a specific infection or want to determine if an STD has cleared after treatment, you can opt for individual tests for STDs such as those for syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. While it’s not necessary for to schedule an appointment for testing, test clinics are not able to accept payment. You select the STD tests you would like to take from an online menu that includes pricing ($24 to $119) and submit payment on the site or by phone before you arrive. In most cases, test results are available within 48 hours. The clinic is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

111 North Wabash Avenue, Suite #1514 Chicago, IL 60602, 800-456-2323
Stdcheck.com

• CDC | 2019 STD Surveillance Report | Last accessed September 2021
• CDC | Which STD Tests Should I Get? | Last accessed September 2021
• HHS | Your Rights Under HIPAA | Last accessed September 2021